Diahann Carroll

Cancer Type – Breast Cancer

Bio – Diahann Carroll -Her real life role of breast cancer survivor led her to speak up for cancer.

Short Story – Many recognize her from starring in TV’s “Dynasty”. When diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, she wanted to keep it secret. The news came as a shock, and after taking some time to process, she decided she should speak up about the disease. “There are millions of women that have to deal with this every day. We have to work together here, and it’s my responsibility to help them with that, she stated in an interview on OWN for “Oprah’s Master Class.”

Her cancer was treated with a lumpectomy followed by 12 weeks of radiation treatment. She felt fortunate she did not have to chemotherapy.

In an interview with Spectrum Health in 2016, she stated, “The thought of dying certainly will make you humble. …I had to try to handle it with as much dignity and not worry my family about it constantly. I’ve always believed that if you can find a brighter side of a very unfortunate, unhappy-making situation, it’s your responsibility to do that because everyone around you is going to be even more devastated than you. At some point, you have to take charge of the fact that you have a life to live and you’ll do the best that you can.”

Diahann Carol Spouse – Vic Damone (married 1996)

Image Credits – Carl Van Vechten [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons